Machine for inserting handles in cartons



' July l, 1.952 LQ E. ARNESON 2,601,816

MACHINE FOR IINSERTING HANDLES IN'CARToNs 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Jun 2, 1947 I vBY July 1, 1952 Y 1 E. ARNEsoN MACHINE FOR INSERTING HANDLES IN CARTONS Fild June 2. 1947 .illfllllllllllllll |||||l |I ||ll lllllll lllfllllll I |l|||| ||||1 lllllllllllll INVENTOR July L 1952 L. E. ARNESN r2,601,816

MACHINE FOR INSERTING HANDLES IN CARTONS Patented July 1, 1952 MACHINE FOR INSERTING HANDLES IN CARTONS Lawrence Edwin Arneson, Morris, Ill., assigner to Morris Paper Mills, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 2, 1947, Serial No. 751,757

12 Claims.

This inventionrelates to machines for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons of the type used by consumers for carrying bottled beverages of various sizes and makes from store to home. Such type of carton is shown, for example, in Patent No. 2,345,568.

In its broader aspects it is an object of the invention to provide a `machine for inserting generally U-shaped or C-shaped carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive the handles, the machine having means forsimultaneously feeding the cartons and the handles into position with respect to each other so that the openings are in alignment with the ends of the handles and adapted to receive them, and means forflexing the cartons in such` amanner that the handles will enter the openings therein and be held in position for use when the cartons `are unflexed.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide such a machine wherein suitab-le mechanism is provided for feeding cartons and handles into position with respect to each other so that handle-receiving openings in the cartons are properly brought into alignment with the handles and adapted to receive them, together with a pair of opposed jaws which are spring loaded to move toward each other and cam controlled to move away from each other, between which the cartons must pass so that they will be flexed along their longitudinal axes, and two oppositely disposed rotating members having openings therein adapted to engage the ends of the handles to push them in the direction of the cartons so that their ends will enter the openings and be snapped into position and so held therein when the cartons are unflexed.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational -vieW of a machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, partly in section and somewhat enlarged, taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1 and lookingin the direction of the arrows; i

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the machine depicted in Fig. l, also somewhat enlarged;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the central portions of the machine depicted in Fig. 2 illustrating preferred means .for flexing a col- 2 lapsed carton along its longitudinal axis and rotatablemembers receiving the ends of the handle members simultaneously to snap the handles into position in openings in the carton;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of one of a pair of opposed rotary handle-receiving and inserting members illustrating its actuating function against an end portion of a handle Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of a pair of opposed rotary cam members attached to the main drive shaft to control the outward movement of the carton iiexing of the machine against spring tension, and to limit the inward movement of the jaws as they are flexing the collapsed carton;

Fig. 'lis a perspective view of a collapsed carton illustrating by means of the arrows the direction of movement of the jaws in flexing the carton along its longitudinal axis and the downward movement of a pair of rotary handle inserting members for urging the handles into certain openings of the carton; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the carton handle inserted in an erected carton ready for filling with bottled beverages.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that there is a magazine I0 for cartons mounted on a frame II. Adjacent the magazine lll are two oppositely placed, vertically extending chutes I2 for downwardly feeding a stack of handle members 20 from a horizontal magazine I3 which, preferably, is disposed above the magazine I0 for the cartons. Preferably, a conventional weight and follower type of feed arrangement I4 is used for moving the lined stack of handles in magazine I3 toward the chutes I2.

Vertically mounted in spaced apart relation in front of the chutes I2, I2 are shafts I5, I5. Each has a miter gear I6, I6 attached at each end. These miter gears are each meshed with corresponding miter gears Il, I1 journaled horizontally on the frame of the machine. Secured to each miter gear Il, I'l, is a rotatable handle control member I8, I8, each of these members having an opening or cut-out portion I9 therein (see Fig. 5). The opening in each rotatable member I8 is of a size to accommodate the end of one of the handles 20 shown in the drawings. As indicated on the drawings, and as will more fully appear hereinafter, the top rotatable members I 8, I8, individually receive each advancing handle 2D as it passes along the hopper I3 and moves it downwardly into the chutes I2, l2. The lower rotatable members I8, I8 similarly receive the ends of each handle 20 in their respective openings to depress the handles 20 into the cartons, also as will more fully appear hereinafter.

The train of miter gears is actuated by gears 2l, 2l mounted on a shaft 22. These gears mesh with further miter gears secured to stub shafts on which the lower miter gears are mounted hence actuate the mechanism for feeding and controlling the downward movement of the handles 2t.

The shaft 22 is suitably journaled in bearings 23, 23 and receives its movement from a split main drive shaft 24 through the gear train indicated generally at 2o. Theshaft 24 is mounted in suitable roller bearings 26, 25 and is driven by a chain 21 passing around a sprocket 28 thereon, chain 21 being trained around another sprocket 29 on a driving motor. y

Also mounted upon the split drive shaft 24 are two face cam members 3G, 3U (see Fig. 6). Each of these cams has a dwell therein indicated generally at 3|. The function of these camsv is to control the outward movement and to limit the inward movement of the carton flexing jaws about to bev described. In order to do this the cafn surfaces each bear lagainst cam follower rollers 32, 32, which are in Vturn secured to reciprocating jaws 33, 33.

The jaws are moved inwardly toward each other by the actions of springs 34, 34 mounted in the 'frame II of ythe machine when the rollers Y 32, '32 enter the dwells 3l, 3-I in the cams 3U, 3D.

Attached tothe inner endfof each half of the main drive shaft'24 is a crank arm 35 and a connecting rod 36 is pivoted to the arms at one end, the other end of rod v3&3 being pivoted to a carton selecting or pusher plate 31. Plate `31 is mounted to reciprocate along a bed 38 in the frame of the machine. The pusher member 31 Vand'bed 38 preferably are disposed immediately Ybeneath the carton magazine I0.

The machineherein illustrated is particularly useful for cartons of the type shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings. These cartons are of the type made from a single blank of die-cut and scored b'oxboard material, glued and folded together in ,collapsed condition. Such a carton necessitates a handle, and preferably any suitable type of handle such as that indicated at 20 in the drawings, and of a generally U-shaped or C-shaped construction, is utilized, the .handles preferably being made of metal. In order to insert these-handles into the carton it is necessary to provide openings or apertures of some kind therein and these are preferably located along Vtheridge of such cartons as indicated at 39, 39 (see Fig. 7 of the drawings).

In operation the pusher plate 31 reciprocates underneath the carton magazine Il] as theplate is actuated by the crank arm 35 and connecting rod 3o from the main drive shaft 24. With each forward movement 'a carton is moved in the direction indicated by the arrows (Figs. 1 and 3) 4 Si, 3ft. It will be seen that as the crank 35 and main drive shaft 24 continue to rotate the face of each cam 30, will Ybear against the rollers 32, 32 in such a manner that the jaws 33, 33 to which the rollers are connected, will be moved in an outward direction, i. e. away from each other. However, as Vthe cams 30, 3l) 'continue to rotate, the rollers 32, 32 ultimately enter and pass through the dwell 3| in each cam 30, being forced thereagainst by the action of the springs 34, 34. The springs force the jaws 33, 33 toward each other and the carton between them is flexed or bowed upwardly along its longitudinal axis as indicated in Figs.- 4 and '1 of the drawings. Bed 3E prevents downward flexure of the carton, so that the latter 'can only flex upwardly under Vlateral compression of its edges. This bowing or iiexing action is sufficient to bring the openings 39, 39 of the carton in direct registry with the free ends of the handle 20. Simultaneously with this action the gear train 25,. connected to the drive shaft 24, continues vto rotate Ythe shaft 22, controlling the rotation of them-iter or bevel gears I6, I6 through the gears 2I, 2l'. This causes the lower rotating members I8, I8, to rotate toward each other. As the vertical e'ndportions of each handle 20 enter the openings I9, I9 in the rotatable members I8, I8, the rotating movement thereof will force the handle downwardly so that the free ends thereof will enter the vopenings- 39, 39v in such a manner that the ends of the handles 20 will be snapped into position in the carton as it is unexed. The unflexing occurs when the cam rollers 32, 32 have passed through the dwells 3|, 3l, of the cams 3l, 30,1and risen onthe high portions of the cams 30, 30, forcing the .rollers'and jaws 33, 33 away from each other, thereby uniiexing the carton and securely holding the 'handle member and Vcarton in interlocked lrel'ation.

The upper rotating members I8, I8Y of the handle feeding mechanism are, as heretofore explained, identical in construction to the lower rotating members I8, I8. VTheir function is to receive the advancing chargeof handles and control their downward travel in chutes I2, I2 by exerting pressure to maintain them in .proper succession to the lower :portion of the column of bandits. Y v

It will thus be seen that Ythe objects hereinbefore 'set forth may readily and efficiently be and comes'to rest between-the jaws y33. This will Y bring vthe openings y'323, 39, of the cartondirectly in alignment with the handles 20 in chutes I2, I2, in a position to receive the `handle upon the sucoedihg operations which follow. As'each handle inthe bottom of the stack in the chutes I2, I2, is brought into this predetermined position vwith respect to the carton, the latter is V'iiexed upwardlyalon'g is longitudinal axis by the inward movement of the jaws 33. This is accomplished in timed relation to the movement ofthe Vmain drive shaft l24 by means of the cams 3U, 30, and springs attained, and since 'certain` changes may be made in the above construction and different-embodiements of theinvention could be VYnade Without departing from thescope thereof, it is intended that allmatter contained Yin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as'i-lliistrative'and not in a limiting sense.

Havingde'scribed Amy vinvention what I claim asY new and desire tosecure by LettersvFatent is:

1. AV machinev for inserting carrying handles 'in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means', including a carton' selecting member to separateindividual'cartons from an accumulated stack `of cartons', (for simultaneously feeding said vcartons Yand saidhandl'es into position with respect 'tov `each other so that said `openings are in alignment with said handles Sand adapted inser'tably` to Vreceive the same, 'and means adapted to nei; said cartonsand "to actu- 'ate'V said handlesfsozthat the handles will enter said openings and be heldtherein when said 'cartons are unflexed.

2. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted toreceive said handles, comprising in combination, means, including a reciprocating carton pusher plate actuated by a crank shaft to' select individual cartons from a group of cartons, for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means adapted'to flex said cartons and to actuate said handles so 'that the handles will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are unflexed.

3. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means, including a carton feeding magazine and a handle hopper in adjacently arranged relation, and a carton selector and a handle selector for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means adapted to flex said cartons along their longitudinal axes and to actuate said handles so that the handles will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are unilexed.

4. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means, including a carton selecting member to separate individual cartons from an accumulated stack of cartons, for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means, adapted to flex said cartons along their longitudinal axes and means to actuate said handles in a direction transversely thereof so that the handles will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are unflexed.

5. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means, including a carton selecting member to separate individual cartons from an accumulated stack of cartons, for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means, including a pair of opposed jaw members, adapted to flex said cartons and to actuate said handles so that the handles will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are uniiexed.

6. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means, including a carton selecting member to separate individual cartons from an accumulated stack of cartons, for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means, including a pair of opposed jaw plates reciprocably movable toward and away from each other, adapted to flex said cartons and to actuate said handles so that the handles will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are unflexed.

`'7..Amachine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receivesaid handles, comprising in combination, means, including a carton .selecting member to separate individual cartons from an accumulated stack of cartonsfor simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means, including a pair of opposed jaws which are spring loaded to move said jaws toward each other, adapted to flex said cartons and to actuate said handles so that thehandles will enter said openings` andbe held `therein when said. cartons are unflexed.

8. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means, including a carton selecting member to separate individual cartons from an accumulated stack of cartons, for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, and means, including a pair of opposed jaws which are spring loaded to move toward each other and cam controlled to moved away from each other, adapted to flex said cartons and to actuate said handles so that the handles Will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are uniiexed.

9. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with the ends of the handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, means adapted to flex said cartons along their longitudinal axes, and means, including a pair of oppositely disposed handle engaging members adapted to actuate the handles so that the handles will enter said openings and be held therein when said carton is unflexed.

l0. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means adapted to flex said cartons and means, including two oppositely disposed rotating members having openings therein adapted to engage the ends of said handles and to actuate them in the direction of the cartons so that they will enter said openings and be held therein when said cartons are unflexed.

1l. A machine for inserting carrying handles in collapsed cartons having openings therein adapted to receive said handles, comprising in combination, means for simultaneously feeding said cartons and said handles into position with respect to each other so that said openings are in alignment with said handles and adapted insertably to receive the same, means, including a pair` of opposed jaws which are spring loaded to move toward each other and cam controlled to move away from each other so that the jaws are opened and closed in timed relation to flex said cartons so that the handles will enter the openings and be held therein when said cartons are unflexed, and means, including two oppositely disposed rotating members having openings therein adapted to engage the ends of said handles and to actuate them in the direction of the cartons 7* so that they will enter said openings and/bei held therein when said cartons are unexed.

12. A machine for inserting U-shaped carrying handles in collapsed cartons Qfna type having.

openings therein adapted to receive Said handles. comprising in combination, means yfor feeding said cartons and said handles toward a position with respect tf1-'each other in which said evenings are in alignment` with the endsY of the handles and adapted insertably .to receive the same, means to ex said cartons upwardly at. a medial' zone betwen said openings and along `their langitudinal axes, means to position said handles, sothat the ends o-f the. handles will entersaid Opeth4 ings and interlock therewith when said: carfbnns LIQ are unexed.. and a erinnert engaged by the 10W- ermest Dertien of said, cartonsduring flexure and acting: to., insure that exure, takes place upwardly assai@ medial zone. f Y

EDWIN ARNESO-N.

REFERENCES CITED The followingY references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2;,198340y Redman Apr. 30, r1945s? 2,345,568 Arneson M Y V Apr. LL; 1944A 

